2026 Prep Football Summer Series: Yuma Catholic

Shamrocks eye another year of success in 5A conference under first-year head high school coach Marty Schaetzle

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - As Yuma Catholic enters its second season competing in Arizona's 5A Conference, head coach Marty Schaetzle believes the Shamrocks are better prepared for the challenges ahead.

Schaetzle, who took over the program after an accomplished collegiate coaching career, said familiarity with the conference should help Yuma Catholic despite another slate of unfamiliar road venues.

"I think we'll be a little bit more comfortable," Schaetzle said. "We've played all the teams now, so we have an idea of what they do. There are still going to be new things with different road trips and different schools, but I love visiting new places. It's all part of the experience."

While the Shamrocks have a better understanding of their competition, one of the biggest changes comes under center.

After backing up Nash Ott for the past several seasons, Scout Reese is expected to step into the starting quarterback role. Schaetzle said Reese's patience and preparation have made the transition smoother.

"When it's your turn, you find out how much paying attention you've been doing," Schaetzle said. "Scout has paid attention. Based on the questions he asks, you know he's been in tune with what's been happening."

To help ease Reese into the starting role, Yuma Catholic has adjusted parts of its offensive scheme.

"We've made some changes offensively just to help him out because he is new," Schaetzle said. "When you're a new quarterback, you want to make him as comfortable as possible. A quarterback who's protected is usually a quarterback who's comfortable."

That adjustment is made easier by the experience surrounding Reese.

Running back Benton Beck has been cleared to return after an injury-shortened season, while receivers Wesley Porter and Brody Amon also return after emerging as reliable playmakers last fall.

Schaetzle expects Beck to return to his natural position after spending time learning multiple offensive roles.

"Benton has been a running back for us, and now he'll spend more time focusing on reading blocking schemes and making good cuts," Schaetzle said. "Our receiver group also brings back two guys who played a lot, made a lot of plays and got better throughout the season."

The veteran skill players are expected to provide stability while also raising the level of competition throughout practice.

"It's good because they show the young guys how to work," Schaetzle said. "When you've got experienced receivers going against your secondary every day, they're pushing each other to get better. As coaches, it's our job to push the players, but you really get a lot out of it when the players push each other."

Schaetzle arrived at Yuma Catholic as an assistant after coaching at the collegiate level, but he said his philosophy has remained unchanged no that he's taking the lead role.

"Obviously, I'm going to coach the way I coach," Schaetzle said. "We may not be able to do everything we did at the college level, but Yuma Catholic has a fantastic program, and our players are football smart. I've told them they're going to have to prove to me they can't do the things I think they're capable of doing."

With a quarterback ready to take over, experienced playmakers returning and another year of familiarity in 5A, the Shamrocks hope those pieces will help them take another step forward this fall.